Metro Nashville Police officials have pleaded with drivers to lock their car doors and take their keys with them following a bizarre incident in North Nashville on Memorial Day that left one driver shot in the leg.
Police say Maurice Walker left his 1980's corvette running outside of a market on D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard on Monday night. The 45-year-old also left his keys inside and that's when a thief jumped in an took off with the corvette.
Police: Gunman Steals Corvette, Sets Car On Fire
Walker reportedly asked someone at the market for a ride to follow his stolen car and eventually caught up with the suspect and his car near the intersection of I-65. After getting out and confronting the man who stole his car, police say Walker was shot once in the leg.
A short time later the corvette was found set on fire in an empty lot.
Walker is expected to be okay, but Metro Police said it serves as a prime example of why locking your car is so important.
"I think people think it’s not going to happen to them," said Sgt. Mitchell Kornberg with Metro Police.
According to Kornberg, about half of all vehicles thefts in Nashville happen when cars are left unlocked.
"I believe there are a lot of folks moving into Nashville that might not be used to city living and realize it could be an issue. Maybe it was an issue where they’re from but this is a national issue," he added.
No arrests have been made. Police said the suspect is a dark skinned male with dreadlocks, a blue t-shirt and white and blue Air Jordan's.
